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Ex-Evertonian: Liverpool to fail in title race, Chelsea thereabouts

A former Everton player has assessed the chances of the main contenders in the Premier League title race.

Manchester City will have to improve on their away form but remain, 'on their day', the most dangerous outfit in the Premier League, especially when compared to Liverpool, who will fall short in the race for the title while Everton - based on their 1-1 performance against Arsenal today, December 8 - have the capability of to push the top teams all the way.

That is the opinion of ex midfielder John Collins, an Evertonian for a two-year spell from 1998-2000, who was in the Sky Sports Studio to summarise his former side's match against table-topping Gunners in North London.

With victory, Arsenal would have extended their lead at the summit of England's top tier to a commanding seven points but were denied maximum points after inspired substitute Gerard Deulofeu cancelled out Mesut Ozil's opener after 80 minutes of play.

It was a weekend where only one of the perceived big boys of the Premier League secured a win, as Liverpool thrashed West Ham United 4-1 at Anfield, while Manchester City dropped points at Southampton, Chelsea lost to Stoke City away and Manchester United fell even further away from the top four.

'I think Liverpool will be short when you look at their squad but no European football may work in their benefit,' said Collins after the Everton draw on Sky Sports. 'Chelsea will be there or thereabouts but Manchester City on their day are the most dangerous.'

He added: 'Everton, on that performance will hang on the coat-tails of the big-boys.'